US Congress lobbies for the return of the marbles of Parthenon to Greece.

[Arrian]

Originally posted by *End Is Forever*
Yesterday random Senators were talking about Sesame Street. Today they are talking about marbles. Don't they have anything do to up on Capitol Hill?

Clearly not. I mean, it's not as if we have any serious issues facing the nation or anything

This is none of our concern. This is between Britain and Greece.

-Arrian

[Bereta_Eder]

Spray,
"I saw an article a while back where some in the Australian goverment supported the return of the marbles. Don't know where it was though."

Quite a lot of governments, members of parliement and NGOs support the cause of returning the marbles of Parthenon to their rightfull place. Glad to see that the US is joining in and quite actively, I might add.

Dino,
"Not really. Feel free to snub them. It isn't even close to a majority of Senators."

These are the senators who have taken action and submitted not one but two voting procedurs for the whole US Congress to vote in favor of the return of the marbles. Many times the voting procedure is called by one person only, so the fact that they were numerous of them only makes things better.

Sagacious,
"In 1978, a European court ruled the marbles were the property of the British Museum, and that's in Europe. So is Greece. European heritage is held in Europe. what's the problem? "

Then you should give us hatever you have that doesnt even come close to the magnificance of the marbles of Parthenon to us. Say the queens crown jewelry or something. They will still be in Europe.
Fact is you already have lots of stolen rtifacts from many countries. The marbles of Parthenon though belong to Greece.


"And even if the marbles were returned to Greece -they wouldn't go back up on the Parthenon but move from a British to a Greek museum. In Athens? Not necessarily. That's because other regions have prior claims. In the 5th century BC, Athens and its neighbours united as the Delian League to fight the Persians. Athens then appropriated the communal war chest which Pericles used to beautify Athens."

Yes.

"So the Parthenon's frieze and metopes weren't paid for by Athenians after all, and the next campaign for the return of the marbles could conceivably come from Naxos, Thasos, Boeotia and the rest of the league (now partly in Greece and partly in Turkey). "

Let's see, Naxos, Thasos and Boetia are all part of Greece.
But see, the difference is that we are now a Greek state no longer a city state nation. Feel the difference. Plus the marbles of Parthenon addorned the well Parthenon. SO they go where they were stolen from.

"Of course, if the descendants of Phidias's wife put in a bill for all that unpaid housework supporting her sculptor husband, then even at a modest interest rate, auctioning off the Elgin marbles wouldn't cover it."

There are no elgin marbles. It's like me stealing Backinham palaces and then call it Paiktis' palaces. And it doesnt even boost my ego. (after all they're not too special).
Phidias' wifer would be supporting of the quest for the return of the marbles of Parthenon. Still if her opinion matters so much to you, I propose you visit the oracle of delphi. and munch on some leafs.

The marbles of Parthenon will return. The only thing that keeps them in the british musem is stubborness and fear that once people will demand back their heritage the british museum will be empty!

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Starchild
While I don't care one way or the other about some fancy calcium carbonate blocks,

why doesnt this surprise me?

it's heart warming to see the USA once again supporting it's unfailing ally the UK and show how much the "special friendship" matters to it. Raise the tariffs a bit a bit more, makes us feel all special inside.

Europe is well aware of your special relationship with the US. George Michael too.

I find it a bit naive though for you to believe that you have some special hold over the US.

Actually I find this move of the american senators particularly friendly considering that in the past decades the relationship of Greece and the US was not exactly on the best of terms.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Winston
Surely there must have just been a documentary on Parthenon's bygone splendour for so many lawmakers to get involved. At least that's the way it's done here. Show a 40 minute program depicting the outrageous conditions homeless cats have to endure and a special session is called in the Parliament.

Equating homeless cats (or sesame street for that matter) with the marbles of Parthenon is demining and insulting for the person who does it

Still, fanatic nationalism about ancient times is an important trait in Greek culture, so let's play along this time also.

Fanatic nationalism would be to start a war with FYROM over the name and her childish aspirations over half of Greece.

Greeks are proud of their heritage. It's not our fault (actually it is) that it is the best heritage in Europe and the world.

This makes certain people uncomfortable. Barbarians after all
But it does create sometimes anti-Greek feelings on people with complexes. (the trend of wanting to be a descendant to an ancient Greek or wanting to be compared with ancient Greece)


I dont think Greeks are any more proud than the english for their heritage. It's just that there is no comparison between the two

[MarkG]

example of the British Civilization

...one other British tourist I bumped into whilst in Rhodes proudly told me how he had vomited at the top of the ancient Acropolis at Lindos, so hungover was he...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/newsid_2073000/2073922.stm

[Bereta_Eder]

After all in which other country a construction worker can look upon a marble of 2000 years old and understand the words? If this construction worker feels a connection to his ancestors why is he to be blamed for it?

The most nationalistic people are to be found away from Greece.

Greek "nationalism" is cosmopolitan in contrast with other peoples' nationalism which is hermetic and racist.

[Winston]

Sure.

[Bereta_Eder]

Loved the counter argument
Glad we agree

[The Pioneer]

Originally posted by MarkG
example of the British Civilization

...one other British tourist I bumped into whilst in Rhodes proudly told me how he had vomited at the top of the ancient Acropolis at Lindos, so hungover was he...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/tal...00/2073922.stm

It's even worse in Portugal, I have met quite a few brits in my travels bu they are the nastiest and most tasteless tourists for sure, plenty of exceptions but still. They could solve the problem by finally getting their act together and instate a nightlife in the UK!

[Az]

After all in which other country a construction worker can look upon a marble of 2000 years old and understand the words? If this construction worker feels a connection to his ancestors why is he to be blamed for it?

Israel?

[Bereta_Eder]

Yes and China also.
But I thought all your construction workers were Palestinians, see.

[Az]

no , there are jewish construction workers, but most of the construction workers are Romanians, and Ukrianians.

not many people want to work with palestinians, as there have been many occasions in which the palestinians killed their employers.

[Bereta_Eder]

Well if the pay was not adequate...

[Az]

Oh, look , the great revolutionary has spoken.

[Bereta_Eder]

Wha?

Come, come my 2 meter Dalgetti ( ), it was just a joke.

But you didn't exactly clarify the line "palestinians have killed their employers". It looks too much like easy slur, wether it is or not.